Article on Parenting Without Religion

Dale’s book is a wonderful guide for secular parents who wish to raise their children without religion. He answered questions for this site a couple months ago that give you insight into his wit and wisdom.

Oh, and the article has this kickass photo of “Intimidating-but-cool Dale.” (Why don’t my pictures ever turn out anything like that?)

Ironically, the article’s author Pamela Miller uses a quotation from Penn Jillette to capture the book’s theme despite the controversy that surrounded his contribution to the book:

The book’s theme is captured in one sentence from contributor Penn Jillette (of the duo Penn & Teller): “Tell your kids the truth as you see it and let the marketplace of ideas work as they grow up.”

Still, the article’s a good one. And the questions and answers are worth spreading to all atheist parents. Like this one, for example:

Q Religious people sometimes say you can’t have values without religion. What do you say?

A I have never known a parent who had the least trouble explaining why something was right or wrong without turning to religion. Some might say you can’t do that without the Ten Commandments, but then I’ll hear them say to their child, “Don’t hit her! How would you like that if she did that to you?” When it comes to explaining to kids why they should be good, reason works best.

By the way, if you haven’t been reading Dale’s blog, you need to fix that now.

Boy, are YOU on the ball, Hemant! I didn’t even know the article was out yet, and here you are, all up and LINKING to it! I have to read The Friendly Atheist to know what’s going on in my own friggin’ life!

It’s a good article, but boy did she paraphrase me. What I said about Dawkins is that there was only one statement in all of “The God Delusion” that went further than I would go (“religion is worse than child sexual abuse”). I was making the point that I agree with him on every single other point!!

Ah well. Thanks for the shout-out, HM!

Siamang

I just bought his book, but I’m reading Hemant’s book first.

Mriana

Don’t worry, Hemant, when you have kids you’ll look like that too. Trust me. Just wait for the first time they tick you off and you feel like taking them out of this world while the other half of your brain is saying, “Don’t do it, you’ll regret it.”

http://bjornisageek.blogspot.com Jet

Dale rules! Not only is he a clever, personable speaker, but he looks like he’d rip people apart at a PTA meeting!

http://emergingpensees.blogspot.com/ Mike C

The book’s theme is captured in one sentence from contributor Penn Jillette (of the duo Penn & Teller): “Tell your kids the truth as you see it and let the marketplace of ideas work as they grow up.”

I agree with this statement. Unfortunately when religious people tell our kids the truth as we see it, we get accused of being child abusers.

WayBeyondSoccerMom

Dale’s book is terrific. I bought it on Amazon, as a pre-order, and read it as soon as I got it. I am really glad to have the book, and I will be able to use it as a resource for many things, with my 10 and 13 year olds.

http://www.matsonwaggs.wordpress.com Kelly

Yay! I’m a total PBB fan, and I’m glad to see it being promoted.

Ash

Mike C said,

June 16, 2007 at 1:51 pm

The book’s theme is captured in one sentence from contributor Penn Jillette (of the duo Penn & Teller): “Tell your kids the truth as you see it and let the marketplace of ideas work as they grow up.”

I agree with this statement. Unfortunately when religious people tell our kids the truth as we see it, we get accused of being child abusers.

like i’ve said before, i think that could only be applicable if you were to ignore the second half of his statement…